Situated in southern Rio de Janeiro the 17-story building Comercio e Industria SA represents one of the biggest jewel complexes in the world.
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Its founder was Hans Stern, German Jewish from Essen, Germany. He and his family arrived in Brazil when he was at the age of 17. Very soon he started to work for Cristab, an exporter of minerals and precious stones based in Rio de Janeiro. And he fell in love with the country abundant with colour gemstones, especially in the tourmaline, a multicoloured semiprecious stone common in Minas Gerais state in Brazil.
But, as he used to say: "There are no semiprecious gemstones, as there is no semi-pregnant woman or semi-honest man." Hans Stern was a wise man and father of four sons, so we must believe to his estimation. Seriously, thanks to Stern all gemstones are now valued equally internationally. Before that only diamonds, rubies, sapphires and emeralds are considered as precious stones. All others were termed semiprecious.
Hans Stern got a job as typist in Cristab company exporting and cutting gems and from that point he stared to learn the business. He spoke English, Spanish, Portuguese, French and a little Yiddish in addition to German. He was youthful, full of power and curious. At that point he needed just courage and valour necessary for success. So, he sold his accordion. With proceeds and a small bank loan he started own business in 1945.
Stern's first big-name customer was Nicaraguan dictator Anastasio Somoza. Somoza paid Stern 20.000 dollars for an elaborate aquamarine necklace. When people asked him later how he created the eponymous Brazilian jewellery brand he answered: "In those days there was no such thing as a brand, it was called a reputation." Hans Stern received 23 top international prizes through the history. He died in Rio de Janeiro 2007 at the age of 85.
His company today has nearly 3.000 employees worldwide, 160 stores in Brazil, 170 stores in 26 countries and partnerships in Europe, the United States and in the Middle East. The average price of an Hans Stern's jewel is around 2.000 pounds with diamond pieces rising into the millions.
Hans Stern collection offer 14 collections of jewel and three collections of watches named Form, Sfera and Golden Stones collection.
The small stars engraved inside or on the back of the Stern's rings and bracelets are the registered trademark of Stern's brand. The jewels in the Golden Stones collection have a simple design. It is inspired by the rounded and irregular rocks found in riverbeds. Cobblestones collection is inspired with life, charm and style of cosmopolitan life and at the same time it is a bit of a retro. Code collection has enigmatic pattern of diamonds set onto the gold reminisces of an undecipherable language or code. Sunrise collection reflects the sun.
The coloured stones have luminosity and transparency, being grand and lavish while preserving their lightness. The inspiration for Stars came from a Victorian tiara, around 1900. The original design featured five multiple-point stars that could be detached and worn as brooches. We counted only a few collection of this most prestigious and respected jewel brands in the world. All Hans Stern pieces are glamorous and versatile at the same time and each one can be piece of a heart's desire.
In 1999 Stern introduced the Form watch, first of its watches to show the company's modern image. Second watch collection is Sfera, modern, rounded and comfortable watch. Golden Stones collection is unique white gold 18K watch collection with diamonds, grey and black satin straps, silver dial with 12 diamonds and pave diamond case. And if someone ask you: "What time is it?", you can freely answer: Timeless. ■